The Drache's Love

Chapter 14, Avva

I thought about my earlier exchange with Asha as I drifted off to sleep.

“Cormac doesn’t need to be alone.  He’s led a bit of a solitary existence, since his parents died.  You’ll see that when you see his home, and how far removed it is from the village,” she had said, “But he also doesn’t need someone to break his heart.  Do you intend to break my friend’s heart?  I’ve waited years to see him look at someone the way he looks at you.  And I see the way you look at him as well, but there’s something I can’t quite place.  An obstacle.”

“You’re not wrong.  I would never willingly hurt him.  But our situation is…complicated.”

“You love him.”  Asha wasn’t asking a question.  “How complicated can it be?”

I sighed.  “I am Avva, of the Royal House, daughter to King Asmund.  My father is most likely planning my marriage to some prince even now.  I didn’t mean for this to happen.  I didn’t mean to love Cormac, but it happened, and now there’s no going back.”

“Oh s**t!”

“‘Oh s**t’ is right.”

Asha thought for a moment.  “I’m going to ask you a question, Avva.  You may not answer me, but you need to think on it nevertheless.  What happens when you have to let him go?  When you have to give yourself to another man?  Can you do that?”

It was my turn to think.  “No.  I can’t.”

“Right answer.  And I think you both have the will and the brains to make a way.  You will suit my friend well.  Just don’t let him rule over you too much and keep in mind he can have a bit of a jealous streak.  You’re now my friend as well, because you’ll be good to him and for him, so I will defend you as fiercely as I would Cormac.”

I smiled.  “I need a friend that’s not a soldier or royal.  One with no ulterior motives.”

“My only ulterior motive is making sure that you’re both happy and whole.  I won’t stand for Cormac being an asshole, either.  And now you know where I am when you need me,” she replied.  “Now, tell me about life in the palace.  I’ve always been curious about human royals.”

The conversation had gone better than I anticipated, and now that I knew I would have the support of the Drache in my relationship with Cormac, I knew we could make a way.  I drifted off to sleep with this comforting thought at the forefront of my mind.